An apparatus to automatically raise and lower a planar member, particularly a seat, that includes a number of pivotally connected support members, all attached directly or indirectly to a base member, one of the support members being mechanically actuable, vertically extending, and vertically extendable. The seat or planar member has a range of motion that is restricted to the middle portion of the base member, the base member having a portion extending forwardly therefrom.
|
1. An apparatus to automatically raise and lower a seat, said apparatus comprising:
a base having a rearward portion and a forward portion, and a middle portion between said rearward and forward portions; a channel attached to said base in said middle portion, said channel accommodating an extendable and retractable member; and a seat attached to said member and slideably attached to said rearward portion of said base, wherein said seat has a range of motion and said range of motion is restricted to said middle portion.
9. An apparatus for raising and lowering a planar member having a front and a back to and from a first lowered position to a second raised position, said planar member having a front point which remains, throughout the raising and lowering of said planar member, in a vertical plane, perpendicular to a line extending from the front to the back of the planar member, and also having a rear point which, during the raising and lowering movement, moves upwardly and forwardly while pivoting about the front point,
said apparatus further including a base member, a vertically extendable first support member fixed at its upper and lower ends to the front point of said planar member and to said base member, respectively, a second support member, one end of which is pivotally connected to one or both of said first support member at its upper end and the front point of said planar member and another end of which is movably retained on said base member rearward of the vertical plane in which the front point of said planar member moves and is movable along a line perpendicular to that vertical plane, and a third support member pivotally connected at one end to the base member near the lower end of the first support member, and at its another end to an end of a fourth support member, and at a point between its ends to said second support member at a point between the ends thereof, wherein said fourth support member is pivotally connected at another end to said planar member at a rearward point thereof, said third and fourth support members forming an angle between them, said third support member extending upwardly and rearwardly form the point where it is connected to said base member, and said fourth support member extending upwardly and forwardly from the point where it is connected to said third support member. 2. The apparatus recited in
3. The apparatus recited in
4. The apparatus recited in
5. The apparatus recited in
6. The apparatus recited in
7. The apparatus recited in
8. The apparatus recited in
10. The apparatus recited in
11. The apparatus recited in
12. The apparatus recited in
|
This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/326,437, filed on Oct. 2, 2001.
This invention relates to an apparatus for raising and lowering a planar member, particularly a seat for moving a person from (and to) a seated position to (and from) a standing position. In one embodiment, it relates to an improved commode seat apparatus for lowering or raising a person in relation to a commode.
There has been a long existing need to provide handicapped persons as well as the weak and infirm, such as post-operative patients in hospital care, with toilet facilities which are suitable for their use without assistance or with minimal assistance from hospital or home nursing personnel. Apart from obvious advantages of such a commode, including reducing the demands on the time of often overworked nursing personnel, the personal dignity that comes with self-sufficiency in areas of personal hygiene is immeasurable.
This invention provides an apparatus to raise and lower a planar member, such as a seat, in relation to, for example, a commode positioned below the seat. The apparatus is configured with a base which extends forwardly from the front of the apparatus to support a user's standing weight, and the apparatus is attached to the commode. In one embodiment, a U-shaped brace is positioned over the commode and attached to the base. In one embodiment, a hydraulic cylinder, including an extendable and retractable rod, powers the movement of the seat relative to the base by actuating a vertically extendable and retractable, vertically disposed support member, acting in conjunction with additional, pivotally connected support members located rearward of the vertically disposed support member. When the vertically extendable member is extended, the seat pivots upwardly about a forward point on the seat which moves upwardly coincident with the first support member, as the seat is raised. Retracting the vertically extended member produces a reverse movement.
The invention will be described with reference to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures of which:
The invention will now be described with reference to the figures, which illustrate a particular embodiment thereof. It will be appreciated that the spirit and scope of the invention is not limited to the embodiment selected for illustration. Also, it should be noted that the drawings are not rendered to any particular scale or proportion. It is contemplated that any of the configurations and materials described hereafter can be modified within the scope of this invention.
Referring to
In the embodiment shown, a lower brace member 20 is statically (as shown in
In this embodiment, apparatus 10 is easily moved into position adjacent commode 11 by lifting hand holds 26 (shown in
Turning now to a consideration of the lift assembly and associated linkage of apparatus 10 according to the present invention, in the embodiment illustrated, a first vertically oriented and telescopically extendable support member 31 comprises a hydraulic cylinder 32 attached at its cap end to base 14 on each side of apparatus 10 using a base assembly weldment 34 and a fastener 36. A piston rod 38 of hydraulic cylinder 32 is pivotally attached to a seat assembly 40, at a forward point thereon, and an actuating (second) support member 42 by a fastener 44. An opposite end of actuating support member 42 includes a moveable connection such as a wheel 46, which is attached by a fastener 48 to support member 42. Wheel 46 is retained to base 14 by a retaining housing 50 attached, for example, by mechanical connection or a weld to base plate 14. Retaining housing 50 accommodates an end of actuating support member 42 and will be discussed in more detail below. An intermediate (third) support member 52 is pivotally attached to base assembly weldment 34 at one end, pivotally attached to actuating (second) support member 42 at a pivot axis 54, and pivotally attached to a seat (fourth) support member 56 at its opposite end. Intermediate (third) support member 52 translates movement between actuating (second) support member 42 and seat (fourth) support member 56. One end of seat support member 56 is pivotally attached to seat assembly 40 at a rearward point thereon.
As illustrated in
Attached to seat 40 is a control device 58 for controlling actuation of hydraulic cylinders 32 (on both sides of apparatus 10) to provide either raising or lowering of seat 40 relative to commode 11 as described in more detail below.
Considering the overall operation of apparatus 10 of the invention, a first mode of operation is commenced when a user is seated on seat 40 in its lowered position, and the user's feet are resting on textured surface 18 of base member 14. The user sets activating device 58 to a control position or setting to move seat 40 to the raised position shown in
Retaining housing 50, which is attached at base 14 and accommodates one end of actuating support member 42, limits the travel of actuating support member 42, to a horizontal plane. More specifically, when hydraulic piston rod 38 is housed inside cylinder 32 in its retracted position, lifting wheel 46 is positioned at the aft end of retaining housing 50, and seat 40 is in its lowered position, as shown in FIG. 2. When piston 38 is pushed outwardly to an extended position, the simultaneous upward movement of actuating support member 42 causes wheel 46 to travel forward. The extent of the forward position of lifting wheel 46 is limited by the stroke of hydraulic cylinder 32.
As the foregoing discussion described, the movement is translated through linkage assembly 42, 52, and 56, as seat 40 is urged to its raised position as shown in FIG. 1. As limited by the stroke of hydraulic cylinder 32 and the longitudinally fixed positions of the lower ends of actuating support member 42 and intermediate support member 52, seat 40 moves only vertically while pivoting at pivot point 44, so that the weight of the user is kept over the middle portion M of base 14, aft of vertical plane V, i.e., aft of the forward portion F of base 14 and forward of the rearward portion R of base 14. Retaining housing 50 retains lifting wheel 46 to prevent seat assembly 40 from exceeding vertical plane V, thereby limiting seat 40 to a position behind a significant portion of base 14, where the user's feet are placed and where as the user stands, the user's weight is fully supported. This also stabilizes apparatus 10, by preventing forward tipping or moving of apparatus 10.
By setting control device 58 to a position allowing pressure to be reduced in each hydraulic cylinder 32, the weight of a user sitting on seat 40 (or the weight of the seat itself) forces each piston rod 38 back into hydraulic cylinders 32 to its retracted position. The water in each hydraulic cylinder 32 flows into cylinder line 76, and is diverted through "T" fitting 78 and into intermediate line 74. The positioning of the control device 58 allows the water to then flow through discharge line 82 which, in one embodiment, empties into tank 13. The reduction in water pressure causes seat 40 to gradually move to the lowered position, thereby assisting the user down on seat 40.
In another embodiment, apparatus 10 can be moved, for example, by an electric motor/worm gear combination, actuating a vertically extendable first support member corresponding to member 31 in FIG. 1.
Apparatus 10 of the present invention can be installed on any commode 11 that would fall in the category of standard (e.g. oval, elongated, or commercial), and is constructed to accommodate the differing heights and lengths of various commodes with the simple adjustment discussed above, i.e., the adjustments permitted by brace members 20 and 22 and hand operated fastener 24, illustrated in FIG. 1.
In the embodiment illustrated, apparatus 10 of the present invention can be used at any location where a water source is available or can be made available, and in this regard, the water source can be a simple garden hose.
An apparatus as described herein, with a sling seat substituted for "seat" 40, may be utilized to raise or lower a user into or out of any conventional chair that will accommodate the lifting apparatus described herein.
Although the present invention has been described relative to specific exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various other forms of the invention may be devised without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The claims which follow should be construed to include all such forms and embodiments.
Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
10085906, | Jun 21 2016 | Hefei University of Technology | Medical apparatus for standing aid |
10874568, | Jun 21 2016 | Hefei University of Technology | Method of using a medical apparatus with a crank mechanism for standing aid |
10881569, | Jun 21 2016 | Hefei University of Technology | Method of assisting a subject to stand using a medical apparatus |
11116682, | Jun 21 2016 | Hefei University of Technology | Apparatus for evaluating standing-aid training |
11375816, | Dec 16 2020 | SHENZHEN MICROTOUCH ERGONOMIC TECHNOLOGY INC | Adjustable chair |
11419463, | Apr 03 2020 | KOHLER CO | Toilet seat lift assembly |
11647877, | Apr 03 2020 | Kohler Co. | Toilet seat lift assembly |
6945604, | Nov 18 2003 | FITNESS RESEARCH CO , LTD | Lifting toilet chair |
7039964, | Apr 21 2004 | Roll-about powerized toilet seat lift | |
7207629, | Jun 23 2003 | MILLERKNOLL, INC | Tilt chair |
7273255, | May 05 2003 | ARJO HOSPITAL EQUIPMENT AB | Patient chair with a vertically movable seat |
Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
3458872, | |||
3473174, | |||
3479086, | |||
4031576, | May 24 1976 | Invalid toilet aid | |
4185335, | May 24 1978 | Sandia Corporation | Movable toilet seat assembly |
4581778, | Jan 23 1981 | Flemming Hvidt Mobelarkitektfrima A/S | Mechanism for raising and lowering a seat especially designed for handicapped persons |
4690457, | Jul 01 1986 | Steridyne Corporation | Chair with lift assistance mechanism |
4752100, | Nov 21 1984 | Convertible chair | |
4884841, | Jun 20 1988 | Seating assistance device | |
4938533, | Dec 01 1986 | Leveur S.A.R.L. | Upright and seating positioning device with particular application to armchairs, chairs or fixed or mobile seats |
4979726, | Feb 23 1989 | Chair having lift apparatus | |
5063617, | Sep 17 1990 | Hydraulic toilet seat | |
5137102, | Aug 25 1986 | Gaymar Industries, Inc | Combination wheelchair and walker apparatus |
5142709, | Aug 24 1990 | Hydra-Commode Lift Services, Inc. | Hydraulic commode assembly |
5155873, | Aug 17 1990 | Electrically operated lift stool | |
5309583, | Jun 10 1993 | ASSIST HEALTHCARE LLC | Powered lift toilet seat |
5312157, | Feb 20 1991 | Dynamic Seating LLC | Lift seat |
5440767, | Sep 30 1991 | Samhall Rehab AB | Device in toilet seats |
5561872, | Nov 21 1994 | Apparatus for raising and lowering a seat | |
5588162, | Nov 17 1994 | Power actuated toilet seat | |
5592703, | Mar 11 1996 | Mobility Plus, Inc.; MOBILITY PLUS, INC | Powered toilet seat lift |
5661858, | Aug 02 1996 | ASSIST HEALTHCARE LLC, AN ARKANSAS LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY | Compact powered lift toilet seat |
6113188, | Dec 24 1997 | Portable seating assist device | |
6142568, | Mar 10 1997 | ALLRED, DALE C | Pivoting linkage elevating chair |
6154896, | Mar 31 2000 | Heavy duty power-assisted toilet seat lift assembly | |
6161229, | Nov 01 1999 | Assist Healthcare, LLC | Powered lift toilet seat with armrests |
6189164, | Oct 27 1999 | Toilet seat elevating system | |
6213554, | Sep 07 1999 | GROUPE MYCA, INC | Lift chair |
6385797, | Jun 15 2001 | HOMECARE PRODUCTS INC | Apparatus for raising and lowering a seat |
6438769, | Dec 17 1999 | Mobile seat lifting apparatus | |
6507961, | Nov 21 2001 | Dynamic Healthtech Inc. | Elevating mechanism for assisting patient in using a toilet alone |
6540250, | May 12 2000 | Height adjustable wheelchair | |
6622320, | Mar 06 2001 | Showme Therapeutic Technologies, Inc. | Toilet seat lift |
Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
Sep 30 2002 | SHEA, JOSEPH | North American Manufacturing Company, Incorporated | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 013357 | /0783 | |
Sep 30 2002 | TELESZ, THOMAS | North American Manufacturing Company, Incorporated | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 013357 | /0783 | |
Oct 01 2002 | North American Manufacturing Company, Inc. | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / |
Date | Maintenance Fee Events |
Apr 17 2008 | M2551: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 4th Yr, Small Entity. |
Jun 18 2012 | REM: Maintenance Fee Reminder Mailed. |
Jul 13 2012 | M2552: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 8th Yr, Small Entity. |
Jul 13 2012 | M2555: 7.5 yr surcharge - late pmt w/in 6 mo, Small Entity. |
Jun 10 2016 | REM: Maintenance Fee Reminder Mailed. |
Nov 02 2016 | EXP: Patent Expired for Failure to Pay Maintenance Fees. |
Date | Maintenance Schedule |
Nov 02 2007 | 4 years fee payment window open |
May 02 2008 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Nov 02 2008 | patent expiry (for year 4) |
Nov 02 2010 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 4) |
Nov 02 2011 | 8 years fee payment window open |
May 02 2012 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Nov 02 2012 | patent expiry (for year 8) |
Nov 02 2014 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 8) |
Nov 02 2015 | 12 years fee payment window open |
May 02 2016 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Nov 02 2016 | patent expiry (for year 12) |
Nov 02 2018 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 12) |